Jan. 6, 2009          
Vol. 40, No. 8

For more information, contact Chief Wayne Kline, Delaware State Parks Enforcement, 302-739-9220, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. 

State Parks Enforcement investigation leads to indictment
of two suspects on numerous felony, misdemeanor charges

On Jan. 4, two suspects from Ocean View were indicted by a Sussex County Grand Jury on a total of 103 felonies and 95 misdemeanors in connection with a two-year string of burglaries and stolen credit cards in the eastern Sussex County area.

Charles H. Hawkins, age 44, of Ocean View, was indicted on the following felony charges: 71 counts of second degree forgery, five counts of attempted second degree forgery, 20 counts of third degree burglary and three counts of theft from a senior citizen. Hawkins also was indicted on the following misdemeanor charges: 59 counts of unlawful use of a credit card, two counts of attempted use of a stolen credit card, 24 counts of theft, three counts of criminal mischief and three counts of second degree conspiracy.

Brittany L. Seiders, age 21, also of Ocean View, was indicted on four counts of second degree forgery, a felony, plus the following misdemeanors: two counts of unlawful use of a credit card, one count of receiving stolen property and one count of theft.

“At this time we have completed our investigation into a crime spree spanning more than two years and affecting at least 26 victims. These individuals came to enjoy a day at one of our beach parks, only to have it ruined by someone breaking into their cars and stealing their valuables. We are glad to bring this investigation to an end,” said Chief Wayne Kline of Delaware State Parks Enforcement.

Since last summer, Park Rangers had been actively investigating a series of burglaries and thefts in which state park visitors reported wallets and purses with credit cards stolen from parked vehicles or campsites at parks including Delaware Seashore, Fenwick Island and Holts Landing. Stolen credit cards were used at various merchants in the area of Rehoboth Beach, Dewey, Fenwick Island, Ocean View and Ocean City, Md.

The investigation links Mr. Hawkins to state park cases dating back to 2008, as well as a 2009 case handled by the Delaware State Police and a 2009 vehicle break-in at the Assawoman Wildlife Area handled by Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement agents. The suspect is also believed to have been the accomplice to another individual arrested in July 2008 for similar offenses which occurred in Delaware State Parks, Chief Kline said.